Suspected Car Thief Picks Wrong House

A Modesto man, out on bail for drug charges, who police say led them on a high speed chase in a stolen car, was shot by a local homeowner in the early morning hours of Nov. 13 after attempting to break in to the residence despite being warned to halt.

According to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, Modesto Police attempted to stop a stolen Hyundai in their city around 3:30 a.m. The driver led police on a chase out of Modesto and through Riverbank before the pursuit was called off with the vehicle last seen heading east.

Around 4 a.m., a couple and their 12-year-old son were awakened when an intruder attempted to enter their home in the 5200 block of the Oakdale-Waterford Highway near Oakdale.

The husband found the suspect, later identified as Albert Anthony Liberini, 27, standing inside his residence. The husband and his wife armed themselves with handguns, called 9-1-1, and confronted Liberini. They ordered him to leave and he fled out their back door.

Minutes later Liberini tried to break into the house again by breaking out the glass in the back door, authorities said.

Fearing for the family’s safety, the wife fired two shots at Liberini, missing him but preventing him from entering the residence.

According to the sheriff’s department, Liberini then went to a bedroom window and broke into the residence a second time. The husband confronted Liberini, telling him to leave. Liberini continued to come inside the home and after several commands to stop, the husband fired one shot, striking Liberini in the torso.

Liberini was held at gunpoint until sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene and took him into custody. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance and underwent surgery for the wound, which was deemed non-life threatening.

The stolen Hyundai was later found just north of the victims’ home on the Oakdale-Waterford Highway. According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver lost control and high-centered the vehicle on a berm.

Liberini is currently on probation for possession of a controlled substance and out on bail for an additional drug possession arrest from September.

After he recovers, Liberini will be booked for burglary, robbery, and violation of probation. He will also be charged with a bail enhancement for committing a crime while out on bail.

None of the residents were harmed during the incident.

The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department has indicated no charges will be filed against the homeowner, classifying the shooting as a case of self-defense.